790.5/12–2950: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel 1
270. Sharett, Eban and Kollek have recently urged upon Dept and Defense proposal whereby Israel armaments plants wld produce arms for use of West, after having recd small amt of US assistance in form of technical advice and new machinery and upon receiving from West raw materials necessary for manufacture of equipment. (See memo conv McGhee–Eban Nov 22.)2 Israelis have said they now convinced fallaciousness their policy “non-identification” and that they know only hope their salvation lies with West. They desire that Israel be taken soonest into consideration in Western plans for NE defense, and also that Israel begin at once to make contribution within framework these plans. Hence arms proposal, which Israelis believe wld facilitate supply of armaments of caliber involved to such nations as Greece, Turkey and Iran.
Israelis are also pressing other proposals, such as food and fuel stockpiling in Israel, standardization of Israeli arms along US lines, and increased training facilities for Israeli mil officers in US.
Israelis have given clear indication that in event crisis they might be prepared offer to West such Israeli facilities as Haifa harbor and Lydda airport, even if use by UK involved. Kollek states that if USSR attempts invade Israel latter will certainly fight.
Dept and Defense now examining armaments proposal from point of view requirements our allies and friends, present Western production facilities, and Israeli technical capacities. Dept suggested to Kollek possibility that Emb’s service attachés might inspect arms plants. He replied that Herzog3 had already cabled to Tel Aviv stating attachés shld be invited to do so. Dept hopes attaches will forward comprehensive report.
Emb’s comments on above desired, with particular ref to armaments proposal. FYI, this procedure wld involve several complex problems, possibly including new legislative authority.